The Turn of the Screw at Arcola Theatre Review
Image: Alex Brenner
My knowledge of Turn of the Screw is limited to my English Literature degree, and somehow watching The Others as an eight year old. So pretty hazy to say the least as I walked into the Arcola Theatre, lowkey excited for a few jump scares. Memories soon came flooding back of the Henry James novella. The tension and suspense, ghosts in the tower, sanity slowly but surely depleting. Told through the eyes of the Governess, we’re left wondering just who to believe in this production.
We enter the theatre, and the scene is instantly set with flickering lights and creepy sound effects. After a blood curdling scream, the show begins. We meet the Governess (Amy Tara) as she is meeting with Master (Jim Fish) as they’re discussing her possible employment at Bly Manor. Tara is likeable as the Governess, fresh out of education and ready to take on the role. Fish plays the rather sleazy Master well, skin crawling slightly as he asks if she would like a drink to seal the deal. We are then transported to Bly Manor for Governess to commence her employment, where we meet the housemaid Mrs Grose (Katy Slater) and Flora (Kathleen McAuley Irvine). McAuley Irvine is a particular stand out as Flora, an adult taking on a child role can be risky but she plays her with conviction. The tale then unfolds as Flora’ brother Miles (Toby Beynon) returns from boarding school and spirits haunting the corridors of the manor come out to play.
This production is intercepted by scenes of the Governess being interrogated by an unnamed man (also played by Fish), which is where we really start to question what has truly gone on in Bly. Not a policeman, lawyer or journalist, we are left none the wiser to who this man is and why he is questioning the Governess. This is one frustration I had with this production, as I was really hoping to find out who he was. This aside, these scenes were fabulously directed by director Nicky Allpress and Intimacy and Movement Director Mandy Gordon. A particular favourite was where the Governess finds herself being sucked into a lake, serenely moving as she is washed in cool blue light, designed by Oliver McNally.
Haunted by vague memories of the ‘old lady’ in The Others, I went into the Arcola primed and ready for some jump scares. Pep talks, reminding myself that I’m simply in Dalston and not a haunted manor house. This is unfortunately where I think this production was let down by the set. Apart from the sound effects – mainly the scream at the beginning – those sat on the side would likely not get the full effect of the jump scares which relied on the set and characters appearing in a flash of light behind see through panels. This is a real shame, so I would recommend trying to get seats facing the stage straight on for the full effect.
This is a cleverly done production with a fantastic cast, leaving us questioning the series of events and inspiring me to reread the novella. Spooky season has well and truly commenced.
At The Arcola Theatre until 10th October 2026
★★★★
Written by Bronagh for Theatre and Tonic, September 2026.
Content warnings – scenes depicting physical and mental threat, references to sexual assault, references to death, reference to the supernatural, including jump scares.
